Algae oil - the Messiah of bio-diesel?

[phenom]

> http://peswiki.com/index.php/Videos:Algae_Oil_%26_Hydrogen <


Microalgae have much faster growth-rates than terrestrial crops. The per unit area yield of oil from algae is estimated to be from between 5,000 to 20,000 gallons per acre, per year (4.6 to 18.4 l/m2 per year); this is 7 to 30 times greater than the next best crop, Chinese tallow (699 gallons).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae_fuel

As this stuff turns CO2 into fuel, and clean air, wouldn't this stuff be very usefull in south africa, where their are many new coal powerplants, being set up, coal is showing an revival in energy production world wide, while this does not only producing cheaper and cleaner electricity, it also creates fuel for our cars.

Will this stuff save us from global warming and the oil crisis?

why not?

[cerebus]

Very interesting, thanks.

[phenom]

Very interesting, thanks.
:), but will it work?

With all the energy producing inventions and schemes recently, failing or turning out as scams, I can't help being skeptical about this one too.
Although I can't think of any reason why it shouldn't.

:confused:

[cerebus]

Well emergent green technologies are always interesting; whether it will come to fruition is another question. Current biofuels are just not workable IMO, especially with food prices being so ridiculous at the moment. This is a hopeful direction.

[Xarog]

Will this stuff save us from global warming and the oil crisis?

why not?
Oil crisis, maybe. Global warming definitely not.

Since the algae merely recycles existing CO2 (and is then used to create biofuel), there isn't going to be a net reduction in total CO2 levels. Unless you plan to stuff the the algae back down oil wells and seal it up, that is.

[HavocXphere]

The companies in that area are getting huge grants.

It's definitely more workable than the biofuels-from-food BS idea that the US is promoting atm.

[phenom]

Since the algae merely recycles existing CO2 (and is then used to create biofuel), there isn't going to be a net reduction in total CO2 levels. Unless you plan to stuff the the algae back down oil wells and seal it up, that is.not sure I understand what you meant here, but,

This program will not only get CO2 to be removed from the air ,through power stations diverting their emissions for algae production.

It will also offer a cleaner and cheaper alternative to oil, car manufacturers will switch, which should lower the CO2 emissions from petroleum fueled vehicles, as more people are persuaded to switch to biofuel vehicles.

Either way, it should certainly help the curbing of CO2 emissions, giving the rest of the plant life a chance to get rid of the left overs, therefor it may give the environment and opportunity to heal itself, converting the left over CO2 to clean air.

[phenom]

The companies in that area are getting huge grants.

It's definitely more workable than the biofuels-from-food BS idea that the US is promoting atm.http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/04/biofuel-_myth-corn-ethanol-global-food-shortages.php

At least the US done by far the most to get us here.


Biofuel from algae by territory

[edit] Canada

* International Energy, Inc [27] (OTCBB: IENI.OB)

[edit] Oceania

[edit] New Zealand

* Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation (ABC). [28]: Boeing and Air New Zealand announced a joint project with Aquaflow Bionomic to develop algae jet fuel. [29]

[edit] USA

There are diverse companies developing biofuels from algae:

* Aurora BioFuels [30]
* Blue Marble Energy [31]
* Diversified Energy Corporation. [32]
* Global Green Solutions [33]
* GreenFuel Technologies Corporation
* Imperium Renewables [34], former Seattle Biodiesel, LLC.
* Inventure Chemical [35]
* Kai BioEnergy Corp. [36]
* Live Fuels, Inc. [37]
* PetroSun and Algae BioFuels Inc., wholly-owned subsidiary. [38]
* Solazyme, Inc. [39]
* Shell [40] and HR BioPetroleum [41]
* Solix Biofuels [42]
* Virgin Green Fund
* Algoil Industries, Inc.


EDIT: DARPA (US gov) has already started it's own research programs into algae fuel, if only the US congress could invest as many billions, as it does with other "food-fuels".

[phenom]

on price:
http://algaetooil.tripod.com/algae_vs_hydrogen.htm

says that within 4 years this stuff could break a profit, and above that, solve global warming, and allow coal and other high co2 generating businesses to cooperate thereby increasing not only algae productivity even more, but also allowing them to go ahead and increase their own profitability and electricity or goods productions, by having higher CO2 emissions, which are then used by the algae farms to produce fuel, and clean air which also solves global warming. this also cuts the pollution from other industries(by leading it to the farms to create fuel and clean air), while they(other industries) can also increase their profitability by not factoring in environmental damage due to CO2 emissions. In future the algae may also be replaced by a better geneticly modified or better selected one, this could also increase profitability even more.

now how do we get around the Bush?

[BCO]

Phenom, once you BURN the fuel that's been made from the algae, you release that CO2 back into the air. A fuel such as this can be described as having a nett carbon footprint of zero, because theoretically, once you've burned the fuel, the next batch of algae is growing and re-absorbing the same amount of carbon from the air as the carbon you just burned. In short, the amount of algae required to make a litre of fuel will absorb as much CO2 from the air, as is released when you burn a litre of the fuel.

It can't absorb more CO2 than is released when you burn it, so unless you juts grow the algae and don't use it for fuel, you can't compensate for the emission from coal stations etc.

[phenom]

Phenom, once you BURN the fuel that's been made from the algae, you release that CO2 back into the air.Oh, that was what xarog's also meant? is this really true?

Many sources*http://www.algaetobiodiesel.com/ says that it DOES NOT PRODUCE CARBON EMISSIONS WHEN BURNT, or much less than traditional crude oil, as this is, it may absorb more carbon emissions than it could emit, therefor also eliminating carbon emissions, or at least, accounting for it's own footprint, leaving it to the rest of the plants to cleanup the rest.

It can also be used to turn sunlight and CO2 into hydrogen, which is also a clean fuel, that can easily be brunt; This process will do well, and produce much electric, when they are placed next to coal, or oil refineries which produce tones of CO2

[BCO]

Oh, that was what xarog's also meant? is this really true?

Many sources*http://www.algaetobiodiesel.com/ says that it DOES NOT PRODUCE CARBON EMISSIONS WHEN BURNT, or much less than traditional crude oil, as this is, it may absorb more carbon emissions than it could emit, therefor also eliminating carbon emissions, or at least, accounting for it's own footprint, leaving it to the rest of the plants to cleanup the rest.

It can also be used to turn sunlight and CO2 into hydrogen, which is also a clean fuel, that can easily be brunt; This process will do well, and produce much electric, when they are placed next to coal, or oil refineries which produce tones of CO2

I'm fairly certain they mean zero NETT carbon emissions.

*edit* In fact from the link you posted:


Since the carbon found in biofuels are found in plants and therefore "grown" through photosynthesis of plants, there are no net carbon emissions when biofuels are burned or combusted.

[phenom]

oh well, still a huge improvement on oil, IMO.

thing is that mean is that this could still give the environment an opportunity to heal itself from the constant carbon emissions from oil, thereby lowering the CO2 in the air all round.

[gboy]

the only problem i have with a biofual car is that will the town of blikiesfonien have a staion that sells the stuff. else my car wont be very effective

[BCO]

the only problem i have with a biofual car is that will the town of blikiesfonien have a staion that sells the stuff. else my car wont be very effective

Well, biodiesel is pretty much exactly the same as normal diesel. It's only ethanol etc, that requires certain modifications to your car to run. AFAIK, a car that can run on ethanol should also be able to run on petrol, but not the other way around.

[phenom]

it's a work in progress, but hybird car sales are doubling year on year, so in not a long time, yes it should.

as to hydrogen and electric, car companies are designing a new system that will produce free fuel from your home itself. not sure how effective this will be, but is one to look into

[BCO]

phenom, if you're interested, check out my blog at http://greencars.za.net

[phenom]

phenom, if you're interested, check out my blog at http://greencars.za.netthere does not seem to be any other green-sites here in SA , thanks for tracking the news here.

[BCO]

An excellent SA environmental site is Urban Sprout. (http://www.urbansprout.co.za)

[scotty777]

hmmm. Interesting. But, I think, we will only be able to stop the very increasing CO2 emissions IF everyone was to use this bio fuel, and then the rest of the plants will take over. thing is that I think in South Africa, this Bio fuel thing is really the only way we can continue because as it stands, R10 for diesel is just insane, but, if we got bio diesel to sell at R5 a liter, then who would be stupid enough to crude oil based diesel?

we just need an area where there's constant sunlight, massive amounts of space and some water and I think making bio diesel won't be that hard. With the karoo and the orange river in the same area, i think we might just have the ideal location to make bio diesel and other fuels from this algea.

there's one thing that worries me though, and thats if a general company is set up to manage the prices of the bio fuels which might lead to over priced fuels :(

[phenom]

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Green Star Products, Inc. (OTC:GSPI) announced that a major breakthrough has been achieved which substantially increases the algae growth rate of certain strains of microalgae.

Algae scientists have long searched for a micronutrient formula to increase the growth rate of algae biomass. Now, Biotech Research, Inc., a consortium partner of Green Star, has confirmed a daily growth rate increase of 34% using the “Montana Micronutrient Booster (MMB)” formula. This growth rate booster can increase the total biomass quantity in a harvest algae growth cycle by well over 100%. The tests where conducted at Biotech Research’s lab facility at the UABC University in Ensenada, Mexico (see press release dated Nov. 20, 2007).

Joseph LaStella, president of Green Star Products, stated, “This breakthrough formula is too important to the algae processing industry for any single company to hold for their personal use. Microalgae production holds real answers to the many serious problems facing the world today, including global fuel shortages, global warming and food supply shortages.”

It is the intention of Green Star to make this product available throughout the world.

The UABC testing has shown that 1:10,000 nutrient dilution rates were very productive (i.e. one gallon of MMB mixed with 10,000 gallons of water). Even at 1:20,000 dilution levels, the MMB was still effective.

Green Star will make available 12-oz sample bottles to all universities, research institutes and commercial facilities for testing on their specific strains of algae.

Mr. LaStella further stated, “We do not know if this formula will work on all species of algae and Green Star intends to create a database that will be published on our website based on feedback from all entities participating in the sampling program. All participants will be asked to submit their results to Green Star and summaries will be published to the entire industry.”

Mr. LaStella also stated, “If the algae industry works together we will all benefit by identifying which strains of algae can be improved collectively. Hopefully, the entire industry can be accelerated into near term production.”

Those universities and research facilities that have previously contacted Green Star will receive the samples at no cost. All others who wish to receive the 12-oz sample formula, which can treat 3,500 liters of algae culture, will be required to pay $50 to cover ingredients, bottling, packaging, and shipping. Please send an email to Green Star at info@GreenStarUSA.com to register.

A picture of the Biotech Research test is posted on our website. It identifies three sets of twin algae photobioreactors (each containing 80-liters) that contain three different concentrations of the MMB formula. The picture also includes two control photobioreactors. This picture indicates greater algae growth based on green color differential.

Green Star Products, Inc. (OTC:GSPI) is an environmentally friendly company dedicated to creating innovative cost-effective products to improve the quality of life and clean up the environment. Green Star Products and its Consortium are involved in the production of green sustainable goods including renewable resources like algae biodiesel and clean-burning biofuels, cellulosic ethanol and other products, as well as lubricants, additives and devices that reduce emissions and improve fuel economy in vehicles, machinery and power plants. For more information, see Green Star Products' website at http://www.GreenStarUSA.com, or call Investor Relations at 619-864-4010, or fax 619-789-4743, or email info@GreenStarUSA.com. Information about trading prices and volume can be obtained at several Internet sites, including http://www.pinksheets.com, http://www.bloomberg.com and http://www.bigcharts.com under the ticker symbol "GSPI."

Forward-looking statements in the release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, continued acceptance of the company's products, increased levels of competition for the company, new products and technological changes, the company's dependence on third-party suppliers, and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/email/headlines/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&div=428291328&newsId=20080522005337


getting somewhere...

[phenom]

June 5, 2008 Origo Industries is set to reveal a new technology designed to capture and recycle a vehicle's CO2 emissions and produce fuel that can be used to re-power your car or even power your house.

The system captures on-board CO2 emissions and stores it for recycling through a home-unit that uses algae to produce bio-oil - up to 2500 liters per year according to the press release.

The technology will go on show at Green-Car-Guide Live! 2008 in the UK on Thursday 12th June 2008.http://www.gizmag.com/co2-recycling-system-for-automobiles/9430/

k, i'm a bit of a fan:o:cool:

[phenom]

KLM Airline says that it plans 50 of its Aircraft to be fueled full of Algae fuel, by 2010, "saves costs". not only that but it saves us from global warming too.
http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2008/05/26/Airline_switching_to_algae_fuel/UPI-63591211828547/